Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an information processor capable of improving convenience.SOLUTION: The first information processor 30 includes a first simulation executor 352 and an information acquirer 353a. The first simulation execution unit 352 realizes the operation of each of the plurality of virtual control devices simulating the plurality of control devices in the simulation environment. The information acquirer 353a acquires the storage information from the respective virtual registers of the plurality of virtual control devices, and registers the acquired storage information in the registration regions on the equipment-quality information tables Ft (1) to Ft (n) based on the master setting file Fm.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional system is described in Patent Document 1. In this system, a virtual device is provided inside a sequencer, and the sequencer can switch between the real device and the virtual device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-292914 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The system described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of convenience.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can improve convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device that solves the above problem includes a first acquisition unit, a first database, a simulation execution unit, and a second acquisition unit. The first acquisition unit acquires master setting information that indicates a correspondence between storage information stored in each register of a plurality of control devices that control equipment on a production line and a registration area of ​​a first table where the storage information should be registered. The first database stores a plurality of first tables corresponding to the plurality of control devices. The simulation execution unit realizes, in a simulation environment, the operation of each of a plurality of virtual control devices that simulate the plurality of control devices. The second acquisition unit acquires storage information from each virtual register of the plurality of virtual control devices and registers the acquired storage information in the registration area of ​​the first table based on the master setting information.

[0007] Another information processing device that solves the above problem includes a storage medium that stores a computer-readable program and a processor that executes the program. The storage medium further stores a first database that stores a plurality of first tables. By executing the program, the processor acquires master setting information that indicates a correspondence between storage information stored in each register of a plurality of control devices that control equipment on a production line and a registration area in the first table where the storage information should be registered, realizes the operation of each of a plurality of virtual control devices that simulate the plurality of control devices in a simulation environment, acquires storage information from each virtual register of the plurality of virtual control devices, and registers the acquired storage information in the registration area in the first table based on the master setting information.

[0008] These configurations allow the operation of a virtual control device to be confirmed in a simulation environment without preparing an actual control device, and also allow the information obtainable from the control device to be confirmed by viewing the first table, thereby improving convenience. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the information processing device of the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a layout file according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a child server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4A to 4D are diagrams each showing the contents of a facility setting file, a facility-specific quality information table, a facility-specific tracking information table, and a facility-specific operation information table according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a parent server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the conceptual contents of a master configuration file according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the specific contents of a master configuration file according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing information included in simulation setting information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the contents of an item file according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a flow of a simulation by the first information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the first information processing device of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the first information processing device of the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the first information processing device of the first embodiment. [Figure 16]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the first information processing device of the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a method for generating each file according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a third information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a monitoring device for a production system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of equipment constituting a production system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of an information processing device will be described below with reference to the drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0012] First Embodiment First, an overview of the information processing system of the first embodiment will be described.

[0013] (Outline of information processing system) 1, information processing system 10 of this embodiment includes multiple child server devices SV(1) to SV(n), parent server device 20, first information processing device 30, and second information processing device 40. The multiple child server devices SV(1) to SV(n) and parent server device 20 are communicatively connected to each other via a network line N10 such as a local area network including Ethernet. Parent server device 20, first information processing device 30, and second information processing device 40 are communicatively connected to each other via a network line N20 such as the Internet.

[0014] The multiple child server devices SV(1) to SV(n) and parent server device 20 are installed, for example, at a specific manufacturer, and are devices for managing multiple pieces of equipment EQ(1) to EQ(n). Note that n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The multiple pieces of equipment EQ(1) to EQ(n) are arranged on a production line and manufacture a single finished product by executing each process on the production line. On the production line, semi-finished products flow in the following order: equipment EQ(1), equipment EQ(2), ..., equipment EQ(k), ..., equipment EQ(n). Note that k = 1, 2, ..., n. The multiple pieces of equipment EQ(1) to EQ(n) are each equipped with a control device CD(1) to CD(n). The control devices CD(1) to CD(n) are, for example, programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The control devices CD(1) to CD(n) control the operation of the equipment EQ(1) to EQ(n), respectively.

[0015] Child servers SV(1) to SV(n) are provided to correspond to the control devices CD(1) to CD(n), respectively. Child server SV(k) communicates with control device CD(k) to send various information to control device CD(k) and obtain various information from control device CD(k).

[0016] Parent server device 20 communicates with child server devices SV(1) to SV(n) via network line N10 to collect information held by each of child server devices SV(1) to SV(n) and manage the collected information.

[0017] First information processing device 30 and second information processing device 40 are, for example, personal computers or tablet terminals. First information processing device 30 communicates with parent server device 20 via network line N20 to acquire various information held by parent server device 20. First information processing device 30 executes various information processes using the information acquired from parent server device 20, such as a production line simulation, and displays the simulation results. This allows a user to virtually grasp, for example, the flow of semi-finished products on the production line by viewing the production line simulation results.

[0018] The second information processing device 40 is used by a user when making various settings for the information processing system 10, for example.

[0019] (Outline of the control device) Next, the schematic configuration of the control device CD(k) will be described.

[0020] 1, the control device CD(k) of this embodiment has a register RE(k). The register RE(k) stores various information about the control device CD(k), such as information acquired by a sensor provided in the equipment EQ(k) and information previously stored in the control device CD(k). The register RE(k) stores, for example, tracking information, quality information, and operation information.

[0021] The tracking information is information that can track information related to the production of a product. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the tracking information includes the product identification number, the date and time when the product was delivered to the facility, the date and time when the product was delivered from the facility, the facility identification number, etc.

[0022] The quality information is information related to the quality of a product. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the quality information includes the product identification number, the identification number of the part to be assembled to the product, the product type, the date and time when the quality data was acquired, the quality judgment result, the press load, the press stroke, and the weight.

[0023] The operation information is information indicating the operation status of equipment EQ(k). For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the operation information includes the date and time when data was acquired from the equipment, and status information indicating whether a specific state has occurred in the equipment. The status information includes continuous operation, test operation, equipment abnormality, carry-in possible, carry-out possible, material change forecast, tool change forecast, quality check forecast, etc.

[0024] In the control device CD(k) of this embodiment, the correspondence between the information to be stored in the register RE(k) and the address of the register RE(k) that stores that information is determined in advance based on the allocation file Ta shown in Fig. 2. The designer of the control device CD(k) designs the control device CD(k) based on the allocation file Ta shown in Fig. 2. This makes it possible to design a control device CD(k) in which predetermined information is stored at a predetermined address of the register RE(k) as shown in the allocation file Ta in Fig. 2.

[0025] (Outline of child server device configuration) Next, the general configuration of the child server SV(k) will be described.

[0026] The child server SV(k) shown in FIG. 3 includes a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a control unit 53.

[0027] Communication unit 51 performs various communications with parent server 20 and control device CD(k) of equipment EQ(k) targeted by child server SV(k).

[0028] The storage unit 52 stores various information held by the child server SV(k). For example, the storage unit 52 stores various programs for operating the child server SV(k). The storage unit 52 also stores an equipment setting file Fc(k), a quality information DB (database) 521, a tracking information DB 522, and an operation information DB 523.

[0029] The equipment setting file Fc(k) is a file representing the configuration of data sequentially acquired from the control device CD(k) of equipment EQ(k), as shown in Fig. 4(A), for example. The equipment setting file Fc(k) shown in Fig. 4(A) illustrates a case in which data is acquired from the control device CD(k) in the order of ID1, ID2, ID3, date and time, signal 1, signal 2, signal 3, .... The memory unit 52 of each of the multiple child servers SV(1) to SV(n) stores a unique equipment setting file Fc(1) to Fc(n).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the quality information DB 521 stores an equipment-specific quality information table Ft(k). The equipment-specific quality information table Ft(k) is generated by extracting data corresponding to quality information from data acquired from, for example, the control device CD(k). The quality information includes, for example, ID1, ID2, ID3, date and time, signal 1, signal 2, signal 3, and the like, as shown in FIG. 4(B). Note that while FIG. 4(B) conceptually describes the quality information, the quality information specifically includes, as shown in FIG. 2, the product identification number, the identification number of the part to be assembled to the product, the product type, the date and time when the quality data was acquired, the quality judgment result, press load, press stroke, weight, and the like. In the equipment-specific quality information table Ft(k), data for ID1, ID2, and so on are stored in each of the registration areas D0001, D0002, and so on.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the tracing information DB 522 stores a facility-specific tracing information table Fp(k). The facility-specific tracing information table Fp(k) is generated, for example, by extracting data corresponding to the tracing information from data acquired from the control device CD(k) and performing calculations from the data included in the facility-specific quality information table Ft(k). The tracing information includes, for example, an ID, date and time, a process, a retention period, a calculation value 1, a calculation value 2, and the like, as shown in FIG. 4(C). Note that while FIG. 4(C) conceptually describes the tracing information, the tracing information specifically includes a product identification number, the date and time the product was delivered to the facility, the date and time the product was delivered from the facility, and the facility identification number, as shown in FIG. 2. In the facility-specific tracing information table Fp(k), data such as ID, date and time, and the like are stored in each of the registration fields D0400, D0401, and so on.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation information DB 523 stores an equipment-specific operation information table Fs(k). The equipment-specific operation information table Fs(k) is generated by extracting data corresponding to the operation information of equipment EQ(k) from data acquired from, for example, the control device CD(k). The operation information includes, for example, the date and time, signal 1, signal 2, signal 3, etc., as shown in FIG. 4(D). Note that while FIG. 4(D) conceptually describes the operation information, the operation information specifically includes, for example, the date and time when data was acquired from the equipment and information indicating whether various production conditions have occurred, as shown in FIG. 2. In the equipment-specific operation information table Fs(k), the data of the date and time, signal 1, etc. are stored in each of the registration areas D0300-1, D0300-2, etc.

[0033] 3 controls child server SV(k). Control unit 53 has, as functional components realized by executing a program stored in storage unit 52, an information acquisition unit 530, a process information registration unit 531, and a process management unit 532.

[0034] The information acquisition unit 530 acquires quality information from the control device CD(k) of the equipment EQ(k) and stores the acquired quality information in the quality information DB 521 to generate the equipment-specific quality information table Ft(k). For example, when the control device CD(k) completes the process of setting the quality information in its register RE(k), it sends a trigger signal to the child server SV(k). When the child server SV(k) receives the trigger signal, the information acquisition unit 530 acquires the quality information from the register RE(k) of the control device CD(k). At this time, the information acquisition unit 530 acquires the quality information from the register RE(k) of the control device CD(k) according to the allocation file Ta shown in FIG. 2. The information acquisition unit 530 registers the quality information sequentially acquired from the register RE(k) of the control device CD(k) in each registration area D0001, D0002, ... of the equipment-specific quality information table Ft(k) of the quality information DB 521. As a result, the facility-specific quality information table Ft(k) including the data shown in FIG. 4(B) is created.

[0035] The information acquisition unit 530 also acquires operation information from the control device CD(k) of the equipment EQ(k) and stores the acquired operation information in the operation information DB 523 to generate an equipment-specific operation information table Fs(k). For example, the information acquisition unit 530 acquires operation information from the register RE(k) of the control device CD(k) at a predetermined interval. At this time, the information acquisition unit 530 acquires operation information from the register RE(k) of the control device CD(k) according to the allocation file Ta shown in FIG. 2. The information acquisition unit 530 registers the operation information sequentially acquired from the register RE(k) of the control device CD(k) in each registration area D0300-1, D0300-2, ... of the equipment-specific operation information table Fs(k) of the operation information DB 523. As a result, an equipment-specific operation information table Fs(k) containing data such as that shown in FIG. 4(D) is created.

[0036] The process information registration unit 531 generates an equipment-specific tracing information table Fp(k) based on data included in the equipment-specific quality information table Ft(k) stored in the quality information DB 521, and registers the generated equipment-specific tracing information table Fp(k) in the tracing information DB 522. As a result, an equipment-specific tracing information table Fp(k) in which data such as that shown in Fig. 4(C) is registered is generated. Note that the process information registration unit 531 may also generate the equipment-specific tracing information table Fp(k) based on tracing information acquired from the register RE(k) of the control device CD(k).

[0037] The process control unit 532 generates production control information based on the equipment-specific tracing information table Fp(k) registered in the tracing information DB 522, and transmits the generated production control information to the control device CD(k). The production control information includes, for example, time setting information, production quantity reset information, information on whether semi-finished products can be carried out, and the planned production quantity.

[0038] (Schematic configuration of parent server device) Next, the general configuration of parent server device 20 will be described.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, parent server device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit .

[0040] The communication unit 21 performs various communications with the plurality of child servers SV(1) to SV(n) and the first information processing device 30.

[0041] Storage unit 22 stores various types of information held by parent server device 20. For example, storage unit 22 stores various programs for operating parent server device 20. Storage unit 22 also stores master setting file Fm, quality information DB 220, and tracking information DB 221.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, the master setting file Fm is a compilation of the equipment setting files Fc(1) to Fc(n) that each of the child server devices SV(1) to SV(n) has. The master setting file Fm includes, for example, information as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 6, the master setting file Fm further includes simulation setting information Fm10. As shown in FIG. 8, the simulation setting information Fm10 includes a table number, a process number, a process name, a next process number, a maximum number of items to be stored, information on storage restrictions, a standard takt time, a variation, a minimum residence time, and a maximum residence time. The standard takt time is the manufacturing time required for one semi-finished product in one piece of equipment. In this embodiment, the master setting file Fm is an example of master setting information, and the simulation setting information Fm10 is an example of information on simulation conditions.

[0043] 5, a quality information integrated table Ft is stored in the quality information DB 220. The quality information integrated table Ft is obtained by integrating the equipment-specific quality information tables Ft(1) to Ft(n) that are respectively held by the multiple child servers SV(1) to SV(n).

[0044] The tracking information DB 221 stores a tracking information integrated table Fp. The tracking information integrated table Fp includes information on semi-finished products existing in each of the multiple pieces of equipment EQ(1) to EQ(n), information on semi-finished products existing between processes, etc. The tracking information integrated table Fp is a combination of information obtained by integrating the equipment-specific tracking information tables Fp(1) to Fp(n) that are respectively held by the multiple child server devices SV(1) to SV(n), and information on semi-finished products existing between processes.

[0045] Control unit 23 controls parent server device 20. Control unit 23 has, as functional components realized by executing a program stored in storage unit 22, information acquisition unit 230 and process information registration unit 231.

[0046] The information acquiring unit 230 acquires the facility-specific quality information tables Ft(1) to Ft(n) from the multiple child servers SV(1) to SV(n), for example, at a predetermined interval. The information acquiring unit 230 generates the integrated quality information table Ft by integrating the acquired facility-specific quality information tables Ft(1) to Ft(n), and stores the generated integrated quality information table Ft in the quality information DB 220.

[0047] The process information registration unit 231 generates a trace information integrated table Fp based on the quality information integrated table Ft stored in the quality information DB 220 , and stores the generated trace information integrated table Fp in the trace information DB 221 .

[0048] The process information registration unit 231 may update the simulation setting information Fm10 included in the master setting file Fm based on the tracking information integrated table Fp. For example, the process information registration unit 231 may calculate the takt time of each piece of equipment based on the delivery date and time and delivery date and time of the semi-finished products at each piece of equipment EQ(1) to EQ(n) included in the tracking information integrated table Fp, and use the calculated takt time as the standard takt time of the simulation setting information Fm10.

[0049] (Schematic configuration of second information processing device) Next, the schematic configuration of the second information processing device 40 will be described.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, the second information processing device 40 includes a communication unit 41, an input unit 42, a display unit 43, a storage unit 44, and a control unit 45.

[0051] The communication unit 41 performs various communications with the parent server device 20 and the first information processing device 30. The input unit 42 accepts input operations from the user. By operating the input unit 42, the user can operate the second information processing device 40 and input various pieces of information. The display unit 43 is a display or the like that can display various screens to the user.

[0052] The storage unit 44 stores various types of information held by the first information processing device 30. For example, the storage unit 44 stores various programs for operating the second information processing device 40.

[0053] The control unit 45 has a conversion unit 450 and a setting unit 451 as functional components realized by executing the program stored in the storage unit 44.

[0054] The conversion unit 450 creates the allocation file Ta shown in Fig. 2. For example, a user can create an item file Fi as shown in Fig. 10 by operating the second information processing device 40. The item file Fi indicates the correspondence between the item names and data formats of the data acquired from each piece of equipment EQ(1) to EQ(n). The conversion unit 450 creates the allocation file Ta shown in Fig. 2 by assigning the addresses of the registers RE(1) to RE(n) of each control device CD(1) to CD(n) to each piece of data in the item file Fi shown in Fig. 10.

[0055] The setting unit 451 creates the master setting file Fm shown in Figures 6 and 7. For example, the setting unit 451 creates the master setting file Fm by assigning each item of the quality information table, the tracking information table, and the operation information table to each piece of data in the allocation file Ta. The items assigned by the setting unit 451 are, for example, the "table type," "table name," and "registration area" shown in Figure 7. "Table type" is information indicating whether it is a quality information table, a tracking information table, or an operation information table. "Table name" indicates the actual name of each table. "Registration area" indicates the area in each table where data should be registered.

[0056] (Schematic configuration of first information processing device) Next, the schematic configuration of the first information processing device 30 will be described.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 11, the first information processing device 30 includes a communication unit 31, an input unit 32, a display unit 33, a storage unit , and a control unit .

[0058] Communication unit 21 performs various communications with parent server device 20 and second information processing device 40. Input unit 32 accepts input operations from the user. By operating input unit 32, the user can operate first information processing device 30 and input various information. Display unit 33 is a display or the like that can display various screens to the user.

[0059] The storage unit 34 stores various types of information held by the first information processing device 30. For example, the storage unit 34 stores various programs for operating the first information processing device 30. The storage unit 34 also stores a master setting file Fm, a quality information DB 341, a tracking information DB 342, and an operation information DB 343.

[0060] The master configuration file Fm is obtained from parent server apparatus 20.

[0061] Virtual facility-specific quality information tables Ft(1) to Ft(n) created by simulation are stored in the quality information DB 341. In this embodiment, the facility-specific quality information tables Ft(1) to Ft(n) are an example of a first table, and the quality information DB 341 is an example of a first database.

[0062] Tracking information DB 342 stores a portion of the information contained in tracking information integrated table Fp held by parent server device 20, as well as virtual facility-specific tracking information tables Fp(1)-Fp(n) created by simulation. The portion of the information contained in tracking information integrated table Fp is, for example, information on semi-finished products existing in each of multiple facilities EQ(1)-EQ(n), and information on semi-finished products existing between processes. In this embodiment, tracking information DB 342 is an example of a second database, and facility-specific tracking information tables Fp(1)-Fp(n) are an example of a second table.

[0063] Virtual facility-specific operation information tables Fs(1) to Fs(n) created by simulation are stored in the operation information DB 343. In this embodiment, the operation information DB 343 is an example of a third database, and the facility-specific operation information tables Fs(1) to Fs(n) are an example of a third table.

[0064] The control unit 35 controls the first information processing device 30. The control unit 35 has a setting acquisition unit 351, a first simulation execution unit 352, a second simulation execution unit 353, and a display control unit 354 as functional components realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 34.

[0065] Setting acquisition unit 351 acquires setting information required for simulating a virtual manufacturing line from parent server device 20. For example, setting acquisition unit 351 acquires master setting file Fm shown in FIG. 6 from parent server device 20, and stores the acquired master setting file Fm in storage unit 34. Setting acquisition unit 351 also acquires from parent server device 20 some of the information contained in tracking information integrated table Fp, for example, information on semi-finished products existing in each of multiple pieces of equipment EQ(1) to EQ(n) and information on semi-finished products existing between processes, and stores the acquired information in tracking information DB 342. In this embodiment, setting acquisition unit 351 is an example of a first acquisition unit.

[0066] The first simulation executing unit 352 realizes the virtual operation of each of the multiple control devices CD(1) to CD(n) and the flow of virtual semi-finished products in a simulation environment. For example, the first simulation executing unit 352 acquires simulation setting information Fm10 included in the master setting file Fm stored in the storage unit 34, and realizes the virtual operation of each of the multiple control devices CD(1) to CD(n) based on the acquired simulation setting information Fm10. Hereinafter, the virtual control devices CD(1) to CD(n), CD(k) realized by the first simulation executing unit 352 will be referred to as "virtual control devices VCD(1),...,VCD(k),...,VCD(n)" as shown in FIG. 12. The first simulation executing unit 352 can also realize virtual processes and corresponding virtual equipment and virtual control devices in the simulation environment based on user operations.

[0067] Furthermore, the first simulation executing unit 352 realizes a flow of virtual semi-finished products based on information on semi-finished products existing in each of the multiple facilities EQ(1) to EQ(n) and information on semi-finished products existing between processes, which are stored in the tracking information DB 342. Hereinafter, the virtual semi-finished products realized by the first simulation executing unit 352 will be referred to as "virtual semi-finished products." For example, when the inventory quantity of semi-finished products existing in facility EQ(k+1) has reached the maximum number of items that can be stored, the first simulation executing unit 352 controls the flow of virtual semi-finished products in the simulation environment so that the virtual semi-finished products are not sent from the previous facility EQ(k) to facility EQ(k+1).

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 12, the virtual control device VCD(k) has a virtual register VRE(k). The virtual control device VCD(k) realizes the operation of storing predetermined information at a predetermined address of the virtual register VRE(k) in accordance with the allocation file Ta in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the virtual control device VCD(k) realizes the operation of the actual control device CD(k) in the simulation environment as it is, such as the operation of registering detection information corresponding to the flow of the virtual semi-finished product in the virtual register VRE(k), the operation of outputting virtual quality information stored in the virtual register VRE(k) based on a trigger signal, and the operation of outputting virtual operation information at a predetermined cycle.

[0069] The second simulation execution unit 353 realizes virtual operations of each of the multiple child servers SV(1) to SV(n) in a simulation environment. The second simulation execution unit 353 has an information acquisition unit 353a, a process information registration unit 353b, and a process management unit 353c.

[0070] The information acquiring unit 353a realizes the operation of the information acquiring unit 353a of each control device CD(1) to CD(n). That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the information acquiring unit 353a acquires quality information from the virtual control device VCD(k) and stores the acquired quality information in the quality information DB 341 to generate the equipment-specific quality information table Ft(k). For example, when the information acquiring unit 353a receives a trigger signal transmitted from the virtual control device VCD(k), it acquires quality information from the virtual register VRE(k) of the virtual control device VCD(k). At this time, the information acquiring unit 353a acquires quality information from the virtual register VRE(k) of the virtual control device VCD(k) according to the allocation file Ta shown in FIG. 2. The information acquiring unit 353a registers the quality information sequentially acquired from the virtual register VRE(k) of the virtual control device VCD(k) in each registration area of ​​the equipment-specific quality information table Ft(k) of the quality information DB 341. As a result, the facility-specific quality information table Ft(k) including the data shown in FIG. 4(B) is created.

[0071] 12, the information acquiring unit 353a acquires operation information from the virtual control device VCD(k) and stores the acquired operation information in the operation information DB 343 to generate an equipment-specific operation information table Fs(k). For example, the information acquiring unit 353a acquires operation information from the virtual register VRE(k) of the virtual control device VCD(k) at a predetermined interval. At this time, the information acquiring unit 353a acquires operation information from the virtual register VRE(k) of the virtual control device VCD(k) according to the allocation file Ta shown in FIG. 2. The information acquiring unit 353a registers the operation information sequentially acquired from the virtual register VRE(k) of the virtual control device VCD(k) in each registration area of ​​the equipment-specific operation information table Fs(k) of the operation information DB 523. As a result, an equipment-specific operation information table Fs(k) including data such as that shown in FIG. 4(D) is created. In this embodiment, the information acquiring unit 353a is an example of a second acquiring unit.

[0072] 12, the process information registration unit 353b generates an equipment-specific tracing information table Fp(k) based on data included in an equipment-specific quality information table Ft(k) stored in the quality information DB 341, and registers the generated equipment-specific tracing information table Fp(k) in the tracing information DB 342. As a result, an equipment-specific tracing information table Fp(k) in which data such as that shown in FIG. 4(C) is registered is generated. Note that the process information registration unit 353b may generate the equipment-specific tracing information table Fp(k) based on tracing information acquired from each virtual register VRE(k) of the virtual control device VCD(k).

[0073] 12, the process control unit 353c generates production control information based on the equipment-specific tracing information table Fp(k) registered in the tracing information DB 342. In addition, the process control unit 353c determines the state of equipment EQ(k) based on the equipment-specific operation information table Fs(k) stored in the operation information DB 343.

[0074] In this way, the second simulation execution unit 353 simulates the operation of the child server apparatus SV(k). Hereinafter, the child server apparatus SV(k) simulated by the second simulation execution unit 353 will be referred to as a "virtual child server apparatus VSV(k)."

[0075] The display control unit 354 shown in FIG. 11 displays on the display unit 33 a screen of the simulation implemented by the first simulation executing unit 352 and the second simulation executing unit 353 .

[0076] Next, an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 33 will be described. Fig. 13 shows a first screen 70 displayed on the display unit 33. The first screen 70 is a screen on which the state of each of the virtual equipment VEQ(1) to VEQ(n) in the simulation environment can be viewed. As shown in Fig. 13, the first screen 70 is provided with a plurality of process information display areas 701, a start button 702, a pause button 703, a resume button 704, a stop button 705, a simulation speed change button 706, and an edit button 707.

[0077] The process information display areas 701 display information about processes of the virtual equipment corresponding to each of the multiple virtual control devices VCD(1) to VCD(n). Specifically, the process information display area 701 displays the process name, equipment number, equipment-specific quality information table number, maximum inventory quantity, current inventory quantity, and accommodation rate of the corresponding process. The process name, equipment number, equipment-specific quality information table number, and maximum inventory quantity use information included in the simulation setting information Fm10 shown in FIG. 10. The current inventory quantity is the inventory quantity of semi-finished products existing in the virtual equipment in the simulation environment. The accommodation rate is the value obtained by dividing the current inventory quantity by the maximum inventory quantity.

[0078] The process information display area 701 is provided with a switching button 701a and a detailed information display button 701b. The user can operate the switching button 701a to selectively switch between an "entry allowed" state and a "entry prohibited" state. When the "entry allowed" state is selected, a situation in which a virtual semi-finished product can be carried into the virtual equipment can be reproduced in the simulation environment. When the "entry prohibited" state is selected, a situation in which a virtual semi-finished product cannot be carried into the virtual equipment, such as a situation in which the virtual equipment is broken, can be realized in the simulation environment. The detailed information display button 701b is a button operated when displaying the detailed state of the corresponding virtual equipment.

[0079] 14(A) and (B) show an example of the second screen 71 that is displayed when the detailed information display button 701b is operated. As shown in Fig. 14(A), the second screen 71 allows the user to check data within the equipment, specifically, the identification number of the product existing in the virtual equipment, the takt time, the elapsed time, etc. Also, as shown in Fig. 14(B), the second screen 71 allows the user to check various communication data exchanged between the virtual control device VCD(k) and the virtual child server device VSV(k).

[0080] 14(A), the second screen 71 has an operation information change button 710. The operation information change button 710 is a button operated when arbitrarily editing the operation information output from the virtual control device VCD(k). This editing makes it possible to simulate changes in the state of the equipment.

[0081] A start button 702, a pause button 703, a resume button 704, and a stop button 705 shown in FIG. 13 are buttons that are operated when the corresponding operations are performed in the simulation.

[0082] The simulation speed change button 706 is a button that is operated when changing the simulation speed. The simulation speed change button 706 is, for example, a pull-down button, and allows the user to select any speed between 1x speed and 1000x speed.

[0083] The edit button 707 is a button that is operated when changing the conditions of each process in the simulation environment.

[0084] Fig. 15 shows an example of the display of the first screen 70 when a virtual process is realized in a simulation. As shown in Fig. 15, this first screen 70 further has a plurality of process information display areas 708 corresponding to the virtual processes. On the first screen 70, the process information display areas 701 corresponding to the actual processes and the process information display areas 708 corresponding to the virtual processes may be displayed in different colors.

[0085] Fig. 16 shows the third screen 72 displayed on the display unit 33. The third screen 72 is a screen on which the flow of virtual semi-finished products in the simulation environment can be viewed. As shown in Fig. 16, the third screen 72 is provided with a virtual product display area 720, a first abnormality display area 721, and a second abnormality display area 722.

[0086] The virtual product display area 720 displays, for each of the multiple processes, the process name, the number of items received, the maximum number of items received, and the identification number of the virtual semi-finished product existing in the corresponding virtual process. In the example shown in FIG. 16 , the identification numbers of two virtual semi-finished products are displayed in the row of the virtual process "Material Weighing 2." This indicates that two virtual semi-finished products exist in the virtual process "Material Weighing 2." Furthermore, since the maximum number of items received in the virtual process "Material Weighing 2" is set to "3," if the number of virtual semi-finished products received in the virtual process "Material Weighing 2" reaches "3," the first simulation execution unit 352 executes inventory restriction control to prevent virtual semi-finished products from flowing from the previous virtual process "Material Weighing 2." The virtual semi-finished products displayed between the virtual processes "Material Weighing 1" and "Material Weighing 2" indicate virtual semi-finished products existing between those virtual processes.

[0087] An abnormality or the like occurring in a virtual process in the simulation environment is displayed in the first abnormality display area 721. Fig. 16 illustrates an example in which an abnormality has occurred in a virtual process called "Coating 1".

[0088] Anomalies and the like occurring in the virtual semi-finished products in the simulation environment are displayed in the second anomaly display area 722. Fig. 16 illustrates an example in which anomalies have occurred in three semi-finished products.

[0089] (Hardware configuration of each device) Next, an example of a hardware configuration in which child server devices SV(1) to SV(n), parent server device 20, first information processing device 30, and second information processing device 40 are realized by computer 200 will be described.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 17, a computer 200 includes, for example, a processor 201, a memory 202, a storage device 203, an input I / F unit 204, a data I / F unit 205, a communication I / F unit 206, and a display device 207.

[0091] The computer 200 may be, for example, a cloud computer, a server computer, or a personal computer (e.g., a desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.).

[0092] The processor 201 is a control unit that controls various processes in the computer 200 by executing programs stored in the memory 202 .

[0093] The memory 202 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 202 temporarily stores the code of the program executed by the processor 201 and data required when the program is executed.

[0094] The storage device 203 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), flash memory, etc. The storage device 203 stores an operating system and various programs for realizing the above-mentioned configurations.

[0095] The input I / F unit 204 is a device for receiving input from a user. The input I / F unit 204 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, various sensors, a wearable device, etc. The input I / F unit 204 may be connected to the computer 200 via an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0096] The data I / F unit 205 is a device for inputting data from outside the computer 200. The data I / F unit 205 is, for example, a drive device for reading data stored in various storage media. The data I / F unit 205 may be provided outside the computer 200. When the data I / F unit 205 is provided outside the computer 200, the data I / F unit 205 is connected to the computer 200 via an interface such as a USB.

[0097] The communication I / F unit 206 is a device for performing data communication via a network such as the Internet, either wired or wirelessly, with devices external to the computer 200. The communication I / F unit 206 may be provided outside the computer 200. When the communication I / F unit 206 is provided outside the computer 200, the communication I / F unit 206 is connected to the computer 200 via an interface such as a USB.

[0098] The display device 207 is a device for displaying various types of information. The display device 207 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, a display of a wearable device, or the like. The display device 207 may be provided outside the computer 200. When the display device 207 is provided outside the computer 200, the display device 207 is connected to the computer 200 via, for example, a display cable. Furthermore, when a touch panel is adopted as the input I / F unit 204, the display device 207 may be configured as an integral part of the input I / F unit 204.

[0099] (Actions and Effects of Information Processing Systems) As described above, the first information processing device 30 of this embodiment includes a setting acquisition unit 351 (first acquisition unit), a quality information DB 341 (first database), a first simulation execution unit 352, and an information acquisition unit 353a (second acquisition unit). The setting acquisition unit 351 acquires a master setting file Fm (master setting information). The master setting file Fm is a file that indicates the correspondence between the storage information stored in the registers RE(1) to RE(n) of the multiple control devices CD(1) to CD(n) that control the equipment EQ(1) to EQ(n) on the production line and the registration areas of the equipment-specific quality information tables Ft(1) to Ft(n) in which the storage information should be registered. The quality information DB 341 stores the equipment-specific quality information tables Ft(1) to Ft(n) (first tables) corresponding to the multiple control devices CD(1) to CD(n), respectively. The first simulation execution unit 352 realizes the operation of each of a plurality of virtual control devices VCD(1) to VCD(n) that simulate the plurality of control devices CD(1) to CD(n) in a simulation environment. The information acquisition unit 353a acquires stored information from the virtual registers VRE(1) to VRE(n) of the plurality of virtual control devices VCD(1) to VCD(n), respectively, and registers the acquired stored information in a registration area on the equipment-specific quality information tables Ft(1) to Ft(n) based on the master setting file Fm.

[0100] This configuration allows the operation of the virtual control devices VCD(1) to VCD(n) to be confirmed in a simulation environment without preparing actual control devices, and also allows the information obtainable from the control devices CD(1) to CD(n) to be confirmed by viewing the equipment-specific quality information tables Ft(1) to Ft(n), thereby improving convenience.

[0101] The first information processing device 30 further includes a tracking information DB 342 (second database) and a process information registration unit 353b. The tracking information DB 342 stores a plurality of facility-specific tracking information tables Fp(1) to Fp(n) (second tables) corresponding to the plurality of virtual control devices VCD(1) to VCD(n), respectively. The process information registration unit 353b generates information related to virtual processes of the production line from the facility-specific quality information tables Ft(1) to Ft(n) stored in the quality information DB 341, and registers the generated information related to the virtual processes in the facility-specific tracking information tables Fp(1) to Fp(n).

[0102] According to this configuration, it is possible to check in a simulation environment whether information relating to the processes of the manufacturing line is generated appropriately.

[0103] The first information processing device 30 further includes an operation information DB343 (third database). The operation information DB343 stores a plurality of equipment-specific operation information tables Fs(1) to Fs(n) (third tables) corresponding to the plurality of virtual control devices VCD(1) to VCD(n). The information acquisition unit 353a further acquires information about the virtual equipment VEQ(1) to VEQ(n) as stored information from the virtual registers VRE(1) to VRE(n) of the plurality of virtual control devices VCD(1) to VCD(n), and registers the generated information about the virtual equipment VEQ(1) to VEQ(n) in the equipment-specific operation information tables Fs(1) to Fs(n).

[0104] According to this configuration, it is possible to check in a simulation environment whether information about the equipment on the production line is generated appropriately.

[0105] The master setting file Fm contains information on the simulation conditions when simulating the operation of each of the plurality of virtual control devices VCD(1) to VCD(n) in a simulation environment.

[0106] This configuration makes it possible to more appropriately simulate the virtual control devices VCD(1) to VCD(n) in a simulation environment.

[0107] The first simulation execution unit 352 changes the operation speed of the simulation environment based on the user's operation.

[0108] According to this configuration, the user can change the operation speed of the simulation environment, thereby further improving convenience.

[0109] A maximum inventory number is set for each of the multiple virtual equipment. When the number of virtual semi-finished products existing in the first virtual equipment in the simulation environment reaches the maximum inventory number, the first simulation execution unit 352 stops flowing virtual semi-finished products from a second virtual equipment preceding the first virtual equipment to the first virtual equipment.

[0110] According to this configuration, the maximum number of pieces of equipment that can be stored can be realized in the simulation environment, thereby enabling a more appropriate simulation to be realized.

[0111] The first information processing device 30 further includes a display control unit 354. The display control unit 354 displays the operating states of each of the multiple virtual equipment VEQ(1) to VEQ(n) in the simulation environment in a format as shown in Fig. 13. The display control unit 354 also displays the flow state of the virtual semi-finished products in the simulation environment in a format as shown in Fig. 16.

[0112] According to this configuration, it becomes easier for the user to check the operating state of each of the multiple virtual equipment VEQ(1) to VEQ(n) and the flow state of the virtual semi-finished products, thereby further improving convenience.

[0113] Configuration acquisition unit 351 acquires master configuration file Fm from parent server device 20 that manages a plurality of actual control devices CD(1) to CD(n).

[0114] According to this configuration, the same master configuration file Fm as that of parent server apparatus 20 is used in the simulation environment, making it easier to realize a production line in the simulation environment that is the same as or similar to an actual production line.

[0115] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the information processing system will be described, focusing on the differences from the information processing system 10 of the first embodiment.

[0116] As explained in the first embodiment and as shown in FIG. 18, the allocation file Ta shown in FIG. 2 is created by assigning the addresses of the registers RE(1) to RE(n) of each control device CD(1) to CD(n) in the item file Fi shown in FIG. 10. The master setting file Fm shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is created by assigning the items of the quality information file, the tracking information file, and the operation information file to each piece of data in the allocation file Ta shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the equipment setting files Fc(1) to Fc(n) are created by dividing the master setting file Fm into multiple pieces of equipment EQ(1) to EQ(n). By utilizing this relationship, the information processing system 10 of this embodiment makes it possible to restore the allocation file Ta from the equipment setting files Fc(1) to Fc(n) if, for example, the allocation file Ta is lost for some reason.

[0117] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the control unit 45 of the second information processing device 40 of this embodiment further includes an information acquisition unit 452 as a functional configuration realized by executing a program stored in the memory unit 44.

[0118] Information acquisition unit 452 acquires facility setting files Fc(1) to Fc(n) from, for example, multiple control devices CD(1) to CD(n) shown in Fig. 1 via child servers SV(1) to SV(n) and parent server 20. In this embodiment, facility setting files Fc(1) to Fc(n) are an example of facility-specific setting information. Information acquisition unit 452 is also an example of a third acquisition unit.

[0119] The conversion unit 450 creates a master setting file Fm from the equipment setting files Fc(1) to Fc(n), and restores the allocation file Ta from the created master setting file Fm.

[0120] According to the configuration of the second information processing device 40 of this embodiment, even if the allocated file Ta is lost, the file Ta can be restored, thereby further improving convenience.

[0121] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the information processing system 10 will be described. The following description will focus on differences from the information processing system 10 of the first embodiment.

[0122] The information processing system 10 of this embodiment further includes a third information processing device 60 shown in Fig. 20. The third information processing device 60 is communicably connected to a control device CD(k) via a network line N10. As shown in Fig. 20, the third information processing device 60 includes a communication unit 61, an input unit 62, a display unit 63, a storage unit 64, and a control unit 65.

[0123] The communication unit 61 performs various communications with the control device CD(k). The input unit 62 accepts input operations from the user. By operating the input unit 62, the user can operate the third information processing device 60 and input various pieces of information. The display unit 63 is a display or the like that can display various screens to the user.

[0124] The storage unit 64 stores various types of information held by the third information processing device 60. For example, the storage unit 64 stores various programs for operating the third information processing device 60. The storage unit 64 also stores an equipment setting file Fc(k), a response setting file Fr(k), a quality information DB 641, a tracking information DB 642, and an operation information DB 643.

[0125] The equipment setting file Fc(k), quality information DB 641, tracking information DB 642, and operation information DB 643 stored in memory unit 64 are identical to or similar to the equipment setting file Fc(k), quality information DB 521, tracking information DB 522, and operation information DB 523 stored in memory unit 52 of child server device SV(k) shown in Figure 3, so their description will be omitted.

[0126] The response setting file Fr(k) is a setting file that contains setting information for the inquiry signals sent to the control device CD(k) for inquiries. The inquiry signals include signals for inquiring about process judgments and signals for inquiring about process passing times.

[0127] The control unit 65 has functional components that are realized by executing a program stored in the memory unit 64, including an information acquisition unit 650, a process information registration unit 651, a process management unit 652, and an inquiry response unit 653.

[0128] The information acquisition unit 650, the process information registration unit 651, and the process management unit 652 are the same as or similar to the information acquisition unit 530, the process information registration unit 531, and the process management unit 532 of the control unit 53 of the child server device SV(k) shown in Figure 3, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0129] The inquiry response unit 653 transmits and receives signals relating to various inquiry responses to the control device CD(k) based on the response setting file Fr(k).

[0130] According to the configuration of the third information processing device 60 of this embodiment, the operation of the control device CD(k) can be confirmed by the third information processing device 60 without using the child server device SV(k). Therefore, for example, the equipment manufacturer of the control device CD(k) can perform communication and information exchange equivalent to that in the real environment in the control device CD(k) by itself.

[0131] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a production system according to a fourth embodiment will be described. Fig. 21 shows the overall configuration of a monitoring device for a production system according to the fourth embodiment. In Fig. 21, the parts enclosed by thin solid lines are parts that belong to the manufacturers of the equipment that constitutes the production system, and the rest are parts that belong to the users of the production system.

[0132] (Item list creation) In Figure 21, item table 101 is written in Excel format by the user, and is a list of monitoring items to be collected from each piece of equipment. As shown in Figure 22, each piece of equipment E receives semi-finished products Ps from the previous piece of equipment, performs the required processing using equipment (not shown) within the equipment E, and then delivers the processed new semi-finished products Ps to the next piece of equipment. The equipment E processes the semi-finished products Ps within a specified takt time using the equipment within the equipment, subject to the maximum number of items that can be stored in the warehouse (the maximum number of semi-finished products that can be input), and during this time outputs the following monitoring items: process control, traceability, and andon (production status). A sequencer (hereinafter referred to as the actual sequencer) attached to the equipment E, which will be described later, controls the equipment within the equipment and outputs the monitoring items.

[0133] An example of the item table 101 shown in Fig. 21 is shown in Table 1, where process control items include, for example, "product serial number," "date and time when the product was brought into the equipment," "date and time when the product was taken out of the equipment," and "equipment identification number." Note that the specific numerical values ​​and processes in the right column corresponding to the items in the left column in Table 1 are merely examples to make understanding easier.

[0134] [Table 1]

[0135] Traceability items include, for example, the "product serial number," "serial number of the part to be assembled," "product type," "date and time when quality data was acquired," "quality judgment result (OK / NG)," "press load," "press stroke," and "weight."

[0136] Andon items include, for example, "date and time when equipment data was acquired" and "equipment status (ON / OFF signal indicating the status)."

[0137] (Create allocation list) 21 is converted by a conversion application (allocation table creation means) 102 into an allocation table 103 that can be used to design a real sequencer 104. Note that hereinafter, "application" refers to computer application software, and "table" refers to a database table. Allocation table 103 allocates addresses of first register 105 of real sequencer 104 that controls actual equipment E to the monitoring items that should be output from the actual equipment E manufactured by each equipment manufacturer, and designers at each equipment manufacturer design the real sequencer 104 by referring to the allocation table 103. An example of an allocation table is shown in Table 2.

[0138] [Table 2]

[0139] (Master table creation) The allocation table 101 is also used by a setting application (master table creation means) 106 to create a master table 107. The master table 107 is used to set a table that stores the monitoring items for each piece of equipment E for all N pieces of equipment that make up the production system. An example of the master table 107 is shown in Table 3. Note that n in Table 3 is 1≦n≦N.

[0140] [Table 3]

[0141] (Creating a monitoring item table) The table creation application (first table setting means, second table setting means) 108 in Fig. 21 references the master table 107 and generates a process control table 109, a traceability table 110, and an andon table 111 as first tables on the equipment manufacturer side that manufactures each piece of equipment E, and also generates a process control table 112, a traceability table 113, and an andon table 114 as second tables for all N pieces of equipment that make up the production system on the production system user side. The storage locations of the monitoring items in each of the tables 109 to 114 are the same as those shown in Table 3. (Virtual sequencer generation) The simulation application (virtual sequencer generation means) 115 in Fig. 21 generates N virtual sequencers 116 that control all virtual equipment simulating equipment E manufactured by each equipment manufacturer, passes dummy data of semi-finished products through each virtual equipment at a predetermined takt time, and outputs each monitoring item, such as process control items, traceability items, and Andon items, to a predetermined address in a second register 117 of each virtual sequencer 116 while referring to a master table 107. The predetermined address in the second register 117 is the same as the address in the first register 105 of each real sequencer 104 that controls each real equipment E corresponding to each virtual equipment (see Table 2).

[0142] The dummy data of the semi-finished products is identified by a dummy product serial number, and passes through each virtual equipment arranged in the installation order of actual equipment E according to the takt time of the semi-finished products set in each virtual equipment under the limit of the maximum number of items that can be stored in each virtual equipment. It is possible to artificially increase the speed at which the semi-finished products pass through each virtual equipment by doubling the speed of the takt time clock.

[0143] (Register in the monitoring item table) The monitoring items output and stored in the first register 105 and the second register 117 are stored and registered in predetermined columns (see Table 3) of predetermined process management tables 109, 112, traceability tables 110, 113, and andon tables 111, 114, respectively, by a collection application (first table registration means) 118 and a collection application (second table registration means) 119 that refer to the master table 107.

[0144] In this way, by displaying the management items registered in the process management table 109, traceability table 110, and ANDON table 111 on the equipment manufacturer's side on a monitor or the like, the equipment manufacturer can confirm whether or not the necessary monitoring items can be obtained from the actual sequencer 104 that controls the equipment E designed and manufactured by the equipment manufacturer before installing the equipment on site. Note that the collection application 118 and each of the tables 109 to 111 are prepared by the production system user side and provided to the equipment manufacturer side.

[0145] On the other hand, by displaying the control items registered in the process control table 112, traceability table 113, and ANDON table 114 on the production system user side on a monitor or the like, the production system user can confirm in advance whether the necessary monitoring items can be obtained in a consistent manner from each piece of equipment that makes up the production system before all of the equipment is installed on site.

[0146] In this embodiment, it is sufficient that the monitoring items include at least process control items.

[0147] <Other embodiments> The present disclosure is not limited to the above specific examples.

[0148] The configuration of the information processing system 10 can be modified as appropriate. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, in the information processing system 10, a child server SV(k) may be connected to a plurality of control devices CD(k)_1, CD(k)_2,... The child server SV(k) manages a plurality of equipment EQ(k)_1, EQ(k)_2,... The equipment EQ(k)_1, EQ(k)_2,... are provided in a predetermined area A(k) of the production line. In this configuration, the display unit 33 may display information about a plurality of virtual control devices corresponding to the plurality of control devices CD(k)_1, CD(k)_2,... on the first screen 70 shown in FIG. 13. That is, the first screen 70 shown in FIG. 13 may display information about all virtual control devices of the production line, or information about virtual control devices in a partial area of ​​the production line.

[0149] For example, the first information processing device 30, the second information processing device 40, and the third information processing device 60 may be configured as a single information processing device.

[0150] Design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to the above specific examples as appropriate are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they comprise the features of the present disclosure. The elements of each of the above specific examples, as well as their arrangement, conditions, shape, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. The elements of each of the above specific examples can be combined as appropriate as long as no technical contradictions arise.

[0151] <Additional Notes> Next, the features of the present invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modifications will be described below.

[0152] (Appendix 1) A means (102) for creating an allocation table (103) for use in designing a real sequencer (104) for each of a plurality of pieces of equipment (E) constituting the production system, in which monitoring items to be acquired from the real sequencer (104) controlling the piece of equipment (E) and addresses of first registers (105) in which the monitoring items are stored are defined; a means (106) for creating a master table (107) in which the monitoring items and areas in which they are stored are defined for all of the pieces of equipment (E); a means (115) for generating a virtual sequencer (116) that, by referring to the master table (107), defines the monitoring items of each piece of equipment (E) and addresses of second registers (117) in which the monitoring items are stored for all of the pieces of equipment (E) and can set arbitrary data for the monitoring items to addresses of the second registers (117); and a means (115) for generating a virtual sequencer (116) that, by referring to the master table (107), determines the monitoring items of each piece of equipment (E) and addresses of second registers (117) in which the monitoring items are stored for all of the pieces of equipment (E), and can set arbitrary data for the monitoring items to addresses of the second registers (117). a means (108) for setting first tables (109-111) in which the monitoring items corresponding to each of the virtual sequencers (116) are registered, by referring to the master table (107); a means (118) for registering data of the monitoring items stored in an address of a first register (105) of the real sequencer (104) in the first tables (109-111) by referring to the master table (107); and a means (119) for registering data of the monitoring items stored in an address of the second register (117) of the virtual sequencer (116) in the second tables (112-114) by referring to the master table (107), wherein the monitoring items include at least process control items from among process control items, traceability items, and Andon items.

[0153] According to this configuration, by displaying the management items registered in the first table on the equipment manufacturer's side on a monitor or the like, it is possible to confirm whether the necessary monitoring items are being output from the actual sequencer that controls the equipment designed and manufactured by each equipment manufacturer before the equipment is installed on site.

[0154] Furthermore, by displaying the management items registered in the second table on the production system user's side on a monitor or the like, the production system user can confirm in advance whether the necessary monitoring items can be obtained in a consistent manner from each piece of equipment that makes up the production system before all of the equipment is installed on site. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] CD(1)~CD(n),CD(k): Control device, EQ(1)~EQ(n),EQ(k): Equipment, Fc(1)~Fc(n): Equipment setting file (setting information for each equipment), Fm: Master setting file (master setting information), Fm10: Simulation setting information, Fp(1)~Fp(n),Fp(k): Equipment tracking information table (second table), Fs(1)~Fs(n),Fs(k): Equipment operation information table (third table), Ft(1)~Ft(n),Ft(k): Equipment quality information table (first table), RE(1) to RE(n), RE(k): register, VCD(1) to VCD(n), VCD(k): virtual control device, VEQ(1) to VEQ(n), VEQ(k): virtual equipment, 20: parent server device, 30, 40, 60: information processing device, 101: item table, 102: conversion application (allocation table creation means), 103: allocation table, 104: real sequencer, 105: first register, 106: setting application (master table creation means), 107: master table, 108: table creation application (first table setting means, second table setting means), 109: process control table (first table), 110: traceability table (first table), 111: andon table (first table), 112: process control table (second table), 113: traceability table (second table), 114: andon table (second table), 115: simulation application (virtual sequencer generation means), 116: virtual sequencer, 117: second register, 118: collection application (first table registration means), 119 : Collection application (second table registration means), E: Equipment 200: Computer, 201: Processor, 202: Memory (storage medium), 341: Quality information DB (first database), 342: Tracking information DB (second database), 343: Operation information DB (third database), 351: Setting acquisition unit (first acquisition unit), 352: First simulation execution unit, 353a: Information acquisition unit (second acquisition unit), 353b: Process information registration unit, 354: Display control unit, 450: Conversion unit, 452: Information acquisition unit (third acquisition unit).

Claims

1. a first acquisition unit that acquires master setting information indicating a correspondence between storage information stored in each register of a plurality of control devices that control equipment on a production line and a registration area of ​​a first table in which the storage information is to be registered; a first database that stores a plurality of the first tables corresponding to the plurality of control devices; a simulation execution unit that realizes the respective operations of a plurality of virtual control devices that simulate the plurality of control devices in a simulation environment; a second acquisition unit that acquires the stored information from each virtual register of the plurality of virtual control devices and registers the acquired stored information in a registration area on the first table based on the master setting information. Information processing device.

2. a second database that stores a plurality of second tables corresponding to the plurality of virtual control devices; a registration unit that generates information about the production status of the manufacturing line from the first table stored in the first database, and registers the generated information about the production status in the second table. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. a third database that stores a plurality of third tables corresponding to the plurality of virtual control devices, The second acquisition unit further acquires information about a state of virtual equipment in the simulation environment as the stored information from the virtual registers of each of the plurality of virtual control devices, and registers the information about the state of the generated virtual equipment in the third table. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The master setting information includes information on simulation conditions when simulating the operation of each of the plurality of virtual control devices in the simulation environment. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The simulation execution unit changes the operation speed of the simulation environment based on a user operation. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. a maximum inventory number is set individually for each of the plurality of virtual facilities in the simulation environment; When the number of virtual products present in a first virtual equipment in the simulation environment reaches the maximum inventory number, the simulation execution unit stops flowing virtual products from a second virtual equipment preceding the first virtual equipment to the first virtual equipment. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The system further includes a display control unit that displays the operating states of the plurality of virtual facilities in the simulation environment. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. The display control unit further displays the flow state of the virtual product in the simulation environment. The information processing device according to claim 7 .

9. The first acquisition unit acquires the master configuration information from a server device that manages a plurality of actual control devices. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

10. The second acquisition unit acquires the stored information from an actual control device. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

11. each of the plurality of control devices has facility-specific setting information indicating a correspondence relationship between the storage information stored in the register and a registration area of ​​the first table; a third acquisition unit that acquires the facility-specific setting information from each of the plurality of control devices; a conversion unit that creates the master setting information from the equipment-specific setting information of each of the plurality of control devices acquired by the third acquisition unit, and creates, from the master setting information, an allocation file that indicates a correspondence between the addresses of the registers of each of the plurality of virtual control devices and the stored information. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

12. a storage medium for storing a computer-readable program; a processor that executes the program, the storage medium further stores a first database storing a plurality of first tables; The processor executes the program, acquiring master setting information indicating a correspondence between storage information stored in each register of a plurality of control devices that control equipment on a production line and a registration area of ​​the first table in which the storage information is to be registered; realizing the respective operations of a plurality of virtual control devices simulating the plurality of control devices in a simulation environment; The storage information is acquired from each virtual register of the plurality of virtual control devices, and the acquired storage information is registered in a registration area on the first table based on the master setting information. Information processing device.

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